View Full Version : Trying to decide between Virgin or Be
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 12:39
Hello there,
New to the forum and have a question about Virgin Broadband. I'm moving to a new flat next week and have been looking at my options for broadband. The flat is in a Virgin cable area so I've been trying to do a bit of research into their services. There appear to be countless review sites where people are moaning about Virgin but this forum is the first place I've found where there seems to be constructive, balanced discussion going on so hopefully someone will be able to help.
My question is does anyone know if Virgin throttles non HTTP traffic? I know Be don't and with my new flat being 10 doors down from the BT exchange there's a good chance of getting decent speeds with them.
Virgin's 50Mb service sounds very attractive as well but only if it doesn't throttle non HTTP traffic. I have to use FTP a lot when I'm working from home and I often need to download very large files from the company FTP servers (I also download from Usenet but that's not as essential).
Any insight into this would be much appreciated.
There is currently no throttling on the 50Mb service, however how long that will last I don't know.
I switched to 50Mb as couldn't cope with throttling on the other services and I didn't download a lot, just the fact we have several PCs, laptop, xbox 360 and 2 Wiis.
Chrysalis
29-04-2010, 13:45
you confirmed close to the exchange, go with BE its a no brainer.
pip08456
29-04-2010, 13:48
I came back to Virgin last year as having moved I was too far from the exchange for decent speeds.
The pervious 2 years I was with Be and was more than satisfied with their service. Had my new flat been nearer the exchange I would've stayed with them.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/774389302.png
My VM 50Mbit Service.
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 14:42
Thanks for the replies. Certainly given me something to think about, I'm leaning more towards Be now.
BexTech - thanks for posting your speed test results. Does speedtest.net run it's tests over http? My main concern is non http traffic. I was with BT a few years back and despite their denials they throttled any traffic that wasn't http regardless of the time of day. I'm hoping to avoid that trap again so maybe Be is the safer option.
Chrysalis
29-04-2010, 14:42
yeah thats why I said BE.
with BE on a short line you know what you will get, VM is more of a gamble and has extra jitter etc., however if he was a long way from the exchange I would have said try VM.
Thanks for the replies. Certainly given me something to think about, I'm leaning more towards Be now.
BexTech - thanks for posting your speed test results. Does speedtest.net run it's tests over http? My main concern is non http traffic. I was with BT a few years back and despite their denials they throttled any traffic that wasn't http regardless of the time of day. I'm hoping to avoid that trap again so maybe Be is the safer option.
I'm on Be and don't notice any throttling. Then again, I'm not a heavy downloader. BTW: Be also offer 3 month contracts. You pay an install fee of £24, and £3 or so extra per month compared to a 12 month contract (free install). It's dearer, but you can leave after 3 months if it doesn't suit you.
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 15:09
Thanks for the feedback daniel. I have used Be before and was impressed with them. They definitely didn't throttle anything back then but I was a bit too far away from the exchange for it to be worthwhile at the time. I reckon I'll probably go with Be, I think I was just getting a bit dazzled by the 50Mb promises from Virgin.
pip08456
29-04-2010, 15:14
Re the 5oMb promise, you've seen one speed test result. Hers's a few more.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/794764338.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/793063895.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792613827.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792609617.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792182333.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791947077.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791936852.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791933509.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791932890.png
Be were always rock solid with the speeds they told you would have in my experience.
Oh, you are probably aware of this, but O2 use the Be network (or vice versa), and offer cracking deals if you are an O2 customer.
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 15:25
Re the 5oMb promise, you've seen one speed test result. Hers's a few more.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/794764338.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/793063895.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792613827.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792609617.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792182333.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791947077.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791936852.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791933509.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791932890.png
Be were always rock solid with the speeds they told you would have in my experience.
Blimey, they're all over the place.
pip08456
29-04-2010, 15:26
Yup, waiting for tech, AGAIN
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 15:33
Oh, you are probably aware of this, but O2 use the Be network (or vice versa), and offer cracking deals if you are an O2 customer.
No I didn't know that, cheers! I am with 02 so I'll look into that.
---------- Post added at 14:33 ---------- Previous post was at 14:27 ----------
Yup, waiting for tech, AGAIN
You've swung it for me mate, BE it is. Thanks for the help!
Virgin and Be*? So your area isn't going to be getting BT Infinity anytime soon then I gather
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 15:48
Virgin and Be*? So your area isn't going to be getting BT Infinity anytime soon then I gather
It doesn't appear to be no. I would be reluctant to try that anyway given my past experiences with BT. They were less than honest with me about their traffic shaping activities.
Chrysalis
29-04-2010, 16:21
Re the 5oMb promise, you've seen one speed test result. Hers's a few more.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/794764338.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/793063895.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792613827.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792609617.png[
http://www.speedtest.net/result/792182333.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791947077.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791936852.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791933509.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/791932890.png
Be were always rock solid with the speeds they told you would have in my experience.
someone will be along in a minute to tell us poor speeds are a rarity. ;)
I have been with them for around 15 years and have never had any major issues with any of my services, had my cable cut twice and both times it was repaired very quickly.
My speed is always between 16Mb to 20Mb and is a very stable connection.
I was a customer long before I was an employee.
Ignitionnet
29-04-2010, 18:41
Virgin and Be*? So your area isn't going to be getting BT Infinity anytime soon then I gather
He wouldn't be able to get Infinity anyway, being 10 doors from the exchange he'll be connected to it directly so no cabinet to run fibre to.
Xtinguish
29-04-2010, 19:01
My daughter is on BE and gets excellent constant speeds with no throttling. Their customer service is second to none and they use an online ticket system for billing queries and any other probs. They let you know by text and email when they have responded to your query and then you just go to your online account to read their response. All queries answered within 1 hour usually. If I was nearer to an exchange I would go with BE.
AVOID, AVOID,AVOID. VM are crap!!! Go to BT.
---------- Post added at 18:38 ---------- Previous post was at 18:27 ----------
AVOID AVOID AVOID. Everyone I have spoken to who has been with VM have had nothing but trouble. Their broadband keeps going off and the engineers are useless!!!
---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------
This site is run by VM so its biased..avoid!!!
I disagree, my VM connection is perfectly stable and I have no issues with it
moaningmags
29-04-2010, 19:40
This site is NOT run by VM so get your facts straight!
It's not run by VM, get your facts right
EDIT: Mags beat me to it :D
Rubbish. I know several people who have been with this lot and have had nothing but trouble. They have all gone back to BT
moaningmags
29-04-2010, 19:41
You're just very very bitter because you failed to read before you signed.
I was a customer long before I was an employee.
See another employee.
__________________
Rubbish. I know several people who have been with this lot and have had nothing but trouble. They have all gone back to BT
I know several people who are with VM and have no problems whatsoever
Bitter no not bitter I am fuming!!! VM are Crap!!!!!!!
---------- Post added at 18:44 ---------- Previous post was at 18:43 ----------
This is run by employees of VM.
Bitter no not bitter I am fuming!!! VM are Crap!!!!!!!
---------- Post added at 18:44 ---------- Previous post was at 18:43 ----------
This is run by employees of VM.
None of the people who work for VM have Cable Forum Team under their name so no it isn't
speedfreak
29-04-2010, 19:47
[/COLOR]This is run by employees of VM.
Very constructive just like the OP asked for :erm: Yeah I know what you mean, theres no threads allowed on here slagging VM off, they all get deleted :rolleyes: its one huge conspiracy.
My advice would be go with Be at least until the 50Mb problems are sorted. The 3month contract idea sounds good, wish all ISP's did that, they must have confidence in the service they provide to offer that
Raistlin
29-04-2010, 19:53
Ahem . . .
1. This forum is not run by Virgin Media, it is completely independent of them;
2. Can we please try to stick to constructively discussing the topic at hand, bickering and baseless bitching won't help the OP make an informed decision.
My Son has only been with this crap company for about 6 months and his broadband has gone off 15 times!!! The engineer comes and hasn't a clue!!!
AVOID, AVOID,AVOID. VM are crap!!! Go to BT.
---------- Post added at 18:38 ---------- Previous post was at 18:27 ----------
AVOID AVOID AVOID. Everyone I have spoken to who has been with VM have had nothing but trouble. Their broadband keeps going off and the engineers are useless!!!
---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------
This site is run by VM so its biased..avoid!!!
Indeed there Broadband is crap and they cannot provide the speed :rolleyes:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2010/04/4.png
I just love RANTERS
As for who to go with.
VM have given me an excellent service and i cannot fault there engineers
Chrysalis
29-04-2010, 20:53
I see no signs of this site been ran by VM, I have been critical of VM and not been censored.
I've had no real issues with my VM service other than the phone been off for several days due to engineer using a jumper on my service for a new customer and broadband offline a couple of times for 30 - 120 mins.
I have friends and family with no issues.
However I do have one family member who had nothing but problems, TV playing up all the time, had over 14 box swaps and other call outs, broadband slowing down to a trickle due to over-subscribed UBR and still not fixed since they left (neighbours still have issues) and phone line going down often, that on top of their bill being incorrect every month and being 'cut off' for non-payment when payment was up to date.
They switched to Sky line rental, Sky Broadband and Sky TV, they are a lot happier with them now.
I was a customer long before I was an employee.
See another employee.
__________________
Customer for 15 years with hardly any problems.;)
Employee for 2.5 years but I get a discount now for my services.:D
You will find the are employees on most if not all forums of this type.;)
I personally have not had a BT phoneline in my property for 15 years either.:D
scrubadub
29-04-2010, 23:48
Well thanks all for the helpful and at times somewhat spirited replies :) They're all much appreciated. I reckon I'll go with Be for 3 months for now and see how that pans out being next to the exchange. If it doesn't work out then it's only for 3 months and VM is still an option after that. Cheers!
Well thanks all for the helpful and at times somewhat spirited replies :) They're all much appreciated. I reckon I'll go with Be for 3 months for now and see how that pans out being next to the exchange. If it doesn't work out then it's only for 3 months and VM is still an option after that. Cheers!
I believe O2 offer a '30 days happiness guarantee'. I don't know the details, but it suggests an opt-out within 30 days if you're not happy. Seeing their deals for O2 customers and the install cost and higher subscription for the Be 3 months contract, you might want to check that out.
pip08456
30-04-2010, 00:10
I wouldn't slag VM off as my problems with speed are recent on getting their 50Mb service in the last 7 days before that I had a rock steady 20Mb connection - then again I don't do online gaming which many complain about.
As regards my time with Be I could not fault them, they advised me of what spped I could expect and it was always better, any small problems I experienced were dealt with quickly through their online support which beats VM support hands down (unless you are lucky enough to get through to VM's UK support).
As stated by someone earlier the choice is a no brainer. Go for Be.
This site is run by VM so its biased..avoid!!!
Ahem, this site is NOT run by VM. It is independent..
speedfreak
30-04-2010, 00:46
Yeah I know what you mean, theres no threads allowed on here slagging VM off, they all get deleted :rolleyes: its one huge conspiracy.
Just like to add, this bit was sarcastic, I know sarcasm can be hard to pick up on on a forum :)
pip08456
30-04-2010, 01:21
Just like to add, this bit was sarcastic, I know sarcasm can be hard to pick up on on a forum :)
Nah sarcasm is good now and again, I use it myself!
saabmania2
30-04-2010, 07:29
i've been with virgin/ntl for over 10 years now and had their Broadband since they started in the 600k days, i've personally have never had a problem with speed restrictions and i do download a fair bit + i have an xbox360 and wii hooked up playing online we are a household with 3 computers (2 young kids permanently on you tube lol!!)
i'm on the 20mb service but i'm happy with virgin :)
nutellajunkie
06-05-2010, 13:28
AVOID, AVOID,AVOID. VM are crap!!! Go to BT.
---------- Post added at 18:38 ---------- Previous post was at 18:27 ----------
AVOID AVOID AVOID. Everyone I have spoken to who has been with VM have had nothing but trouble. Their broadband keeps going off and the engineers are useless!!!
---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------
This site is run by VM so its biased..avoid!!!
Avoid people that dont know the facts and use playground language.
The only issue with VM is their extremely low upload speed, they need to increase that somewhat, other than that I've been very happy.
keyholder
06-05-2010, 20:35
My Son has only been with this crap company for about 6 months and his broadband has gone off 15 times!!! The engineer comes and hasn't a clue!!!
well your son should complain to the head office like i did :)
constant disconects as much as upto 7 times a day, regardless of what speed ive been on, regardless of how many techs come out and tested everything, yet techs from VM end confirmed that they are having trouble talking to my modem..
End result.
One of the bods from the CEO office, go onto the problem,
sent 2 Head techs around ( not the average cowboy tech either) , rebuilt all house conections,
rebuilt green cabint which was hanging off the wall, went and looked at the ubr which apperantly only 20 people are conected to so i shouldnt be seeing any slow downs according to the tech,s (sniff sniff ), They Did a talk back from my house to Andover..
Infact even wired in the old telepest conection which was still linked onto the lil green box , so now i have one feed for net, other feed for tv,
tested all power level's all upstream, downstream, checked modem..
All for them to say everything is spot on ... ok great :D
whilst techs where here Guess what happened....
The modem only lost conectection and took over 10 mins to reconnect :D :D :LOL: :td: without no explenation
3 months now on... and CEO office still ring / email me up, pinging my modem for speed issues, conection issues.
Granted i now touch 50.12mbit at most with a 1.4 upstream on 38ms ping, but still I still see speeds of 32mbit which according to the Vm techs that came, i shoudnt be:erm:
Thankfully now the only disconect ive had is where a fiber link was broken to the ubr which was promptly repaired, due to hundreds of people havin no net..
So yes virgin network still has a looooooooooooooooong way to go :)
mjpartyboy
07-05-2010, 08:43
Blimey, they're all over the place.
And it's like this on all their packages. :td:
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